Time for this week’s Weekend Things:
1. It was overcast and not really beach days on either Thursday or Friday courtesy of Hurricane Isaac (thankfully Aruba is well south of the hurricane belt) and while I was cooking Scott took Skylar to run a few errands. They went into a perfume and cologne store and after smelling a half dozen, Scott said he had no idea what he was smelling anymore.
He asked Skylar (age 5) what she liked and she was very clear that she loved this Carolina Herrera for him and he bought it. I give her major props because I love it, too. Must be all the practice she’s had sniffing body spray with me and coating her hair in scented lotion and her hands in body wash.
2. ≈, $7.95 at Crate & Barrel
Peaches, pure cane sugar, and champagne. Can I drink it please?
3. Want to know if your muffins are done? Use your ears. Yes, your ears.
Carefully put your ear near it and be careful so you don’t burn yourself. If the muffins are not done yet, you’ll hear a very gentle popping and crackling – it’s the liquid evaporating from the batter.
When they are done, the muffins will be quiet – there will still be some popping but it is distinctively quieter. And then the muffins are done and perfectly moist.
If they are totally silent they might be a teensy bit dry.
Don’t believe me? Rebekah wrote about it.
4. I tried it with my Blueberry Muffins with Raspberry Jam Swirls and it worked like a charm.
5. Eat more chocolate. It’s good for your brain.
“A new study shows that the flavanols in chocolate reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia conditions by protecting brain cells and increasing blood flow around the brain.”
6. How about a Ritz Cracker Stuffed Peanut Butter Cup (No Bake, Vegan) to help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s.
7. Slate Coasters, set of 4 for $17.60 from West Elm
Use them for a party and chalk them up with your guests’ names, then erase and repeat for your next party.
8. Thanks for the Capresso 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker Giveaway entries
9. Novel Cheeseboard, $128 from Anthro but I think it’s too pretty to actually cut anything on or place anything on it that may stain it.
Roasted Grapes and Balsamic Reduction with Cheese and Crackers would be a staining doosie
10. Blog Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community
I wrote a blog series awhile back and I always like to find out what others think are the most important aspects about blogging to share with new, hopeful, or other existing bloggers. I love hearing what works for other bloggers from how they import their photos to who did their site design to what hasn’t worked, what they love about blogging, and what their goals are for their blog.
Blogging 101
Blogging 102
Blogging 103
Blogging 104
Blogging 105
What are your weekend things?
If you’ve made anything, done, seen, or bought anything fabulous this week, feel free to link it up in the comments.
Have you come across any perfumes, colognes, or scents you’re loving? Any blog tips that to share about any aspect of blogging?
Link it up & enjoy your weekend!
Thank you for the link, Averie! I’m glad the muffin-whispering trick worked for you :)
Yes to all of this!
I haven’t tried out a new perfume in years. I usually stick to cucumber melon body spray, but I might need to branch out!
Those blueberry muffins beckon and I love those slate coasters!
I love this list! I saw that cutting board on a recent online anthro visit, and fell in love. But I’ve never seen those slate coasters before, and they’re right in my price range … ;)
You saw it in person? Lucky girl!
First off Averie, I read your whole blogging 101 series when I was starting my blog. I loved all of your insight and you had some great advice. It really helped me, as I was new to the whole blogging arena. You should pocket it all into an e-book. I haven’t even been blogging for a year, but I feel like I’ve learned so much and have come such a long way. My photos have greatly improved, my writing and especially my cooking (my family and friends are grateful for that). My blog has really helped me and my family grow, it’s been a learning experience for all of us and one that we have done together. My kids are cooking now, eating all types of food and really taking an interest in the culinary world. It’s amazing.
I love hearing new health related studies on chocolate, as I love chocolate. I was making these brownies with unsweetened chocolate the other day, so I grabbed a chunk and threw it into my mouth, (because I love dark chocolate) and it was nasty. I’ll stick to the 70%, thank you!
BTW, MN was so much fun and so darn green, that we were almost tempted to move back there. There is just something so magical and gorgeous about Minnesota summers.
xoxo,
Jackie
I think you should stay in Marin, not MN :) But hey, stranger things have happened and yes, that GREEN green green and BLUE blue skies make this time of yr in MN amazing. Go visit the 2nd week in January before making any decisions :)
Thank goodness you’re south of the storm! Phew. As for that chocolate study, I can get behind eating it all the time… in the name of nutrition, right?? :) and that perfume looks beautiful; I’ll need to try it out. I love finding new perfumes and body sprays since I am always needing to smell good (neuroticism at its best). Have a good weekend Averie!!
Averie! Happy weekend. :) That jam! I want it… I need it… NOW! I would be content with that jar and a spoon and a couch. Maybe a cracker, but not really. Those slate coasters are gorgeous. Perfect fun idea for get togethers or parties. My friend would LOVE them! Saving them as an xmas idea. VERY VERY interesting about the whole muffin “sound” ordeal. I wonder if the same holds true for other baked bread-ish type things? Nonetheless, that is a surefire way to test their doneness without poking a hole in them, you know?
You don’t have to tell me twice to eat more chocolate ;)
I knew you’d like the muffin sounds info!
I’m glad you shared that fact about chocolate! I know it must be a super health food!! And I’m definitely intrigued to listen to my baked goods! Hehe :)
Our weekend things have been sleeping in (huray), lots of time at the park and runs on the beach! Can’t complain!
I wanted to thank you so much for all of the wonderful recipes and tips. I’m in Barcelona right now, so finding some of the ingredients is a challenge (but that’s what makes it an adventure!). I nominated you for the Leibster Blog Award. You can see more info about it on my site.
Thanks for helping to get me through this! I don’t have an oven in my flat, so I have really enjoyed checking out the recipes you have that don’t require one. :)
thanks for the award!